Rosseler wins De Panne time trial and overall classification

Belgian Sébastien Rosseler won his first stage race victory today in Belgium, winning the final time trial to clinch the Three Days of De Panne.

“I did not have a lot of confidence because I was tired after this morning’s stage,” said team Radioshack’s Rosseler.

“I was happy with my time, but I did not think it was good to win De Panne. In fact, I didn’t even watch the race on the TV in the bus.”

Dutchman Lieuwe Westra (Vacansoleil-DCM) was the favourite to win the Three Days of De Panne overall. He trailed Bert De Backer (Skil-Shimano) by two seconds and had 10 seconds on Rosseler ahead of the 14.7-kilometre time trial. He finished in 18’45”, 14 seconds back from Rosseler’s time of 18’31.

Westra finished second in 2009 and last year, behind David Millar, in the time trial. He covered 14.8 kilometres in 18’21” in 2009 behind Bradley Wiggins and in 18’49” last year.

“I am pissed,” said Westra. “I didn’t make one mistake; I was strong and felt confident. The other guy was faster and so he deserves to win. I repeat, though, I am pissed.”

Wiggins was unable to start because he missed the time cut with 76 others in the 111-kilometre stage this morning. He punctured his tyre ahead of a key crosswind section and finished with a group 25’22” back.

Slightly damp roads slowed the 14.7-kilometre test, and winds off the North Sea made rides tricky. Dutch Champion Niki Terpstra (Quick Step) crashed and went to hospital for further examination.

Matt Brammeier (HTC-Highroad) set the early time to beat – 19’41. Andriy Grivko (Astana), second overall last year behind Millar, was the first to go under 19 minutes: 18’55”.

German André Greipel (OmegaPharma-Lotto) won the opening stage from an escape. Yesterday’s stage saw Bradley Wiggins (Sky) lose over five minutes to a group, which included Rosseler – Russian Denis Galimzyanov (Katusha) won the stage in a sprint.

Italian Jacopo Guarnieri (Liquigas-Cannondale) sprinted to victory in this morning’s leg of stage three that saw a large chunk of the peloton – including Wiggins – eliminated for failing to make the time cut.

Last year’s winner David Millar’s team, Garmin-Cervelo, did not take part in this year’s race.